What’s in Your Household Cleaning Supplies?

What’s in Your Household Cleaning Supplies?

Most of us have the basics: bleach, oven cleaner, air freshener, furniture polish, and window spray. Did you know that chemicals found in these kinds of cleaning products can be toxic and harmful to your health? In small amounts, they generally don’t cause much damage. But when used on a regular basis or in a poorly ventilated area, the level of toxicity rises.

If you’ve ever gotten a headache or developed watery eyes after scrubbing down your kitchen counters, you may have a sensitivity to the chemicals in your household products.

That Burns

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOCs, are gases that are released into the atmosphere, usually from burning fuel sources like wood or gasoline. They can also be found in many household products such as degreasers, aerosol sprays, and disinfectants. These gases are released not only during use, but also when kept in storage or transported between locations.

VOCs are generally less harmful when released outdoors, as the gases are absorbed into the atmosphere. However, in an indoor environment, the gases have 10 times the concentration!

People may come into contact with these compounds by breathing them in or through direct contact with their skin, which can lead to any of the following symptoms:

Other Chemical Irritants

Chemicals like sodium hydroxide can be found in oven and drain cleaners. Air fresheners and leather cleaners may contain formaldehyde, which in high amounts, has been linked to certain types of cancer. Even laundry detergents and stain removers can contain irritants.

If you’ve been exposed to these types of chemicals, you may experience trouble breathing, irritation in the eyes, nose or throat, or develop a skin rash. So, use extra caution when handling these kinds of cleaning supplies.

If your job exposes you to higher levels of chemicals from cleaning products, such as janitorial staff or sanitation workers, artificial tears and protective eyewear can help. Use them daily to give you relief from chemical agents that irritate the eyes. Ask your optometrist about which types are best for you.

Immediate Eye Care

Should your eyes come into contact with chemical substances or VOCs, immediately irrigate your eyes with plenty of cold water. Tilt your head so that the exposed eye is down, to avoid flushing the chemical into the good eye, and avoid rubbing your eyes. Rinse your eyes for 15 minutes – this will flush acidic or alkaline chemicals out of the affected areas. This should be your first line of defense, even before calling a doctor.

If you have saline solution or contact lens solution readily on hand (non-peroxide only), administer several drops of solution to the affected eyes. Contact your eye doctor or, if need be, visit an emergency room. Chemical burns can cause serious damage to the cornea, so schedule a checkup with your eye doctor as soon as possible.

5 Ways to Lower Your Risk of Chemical Exposure

Despite the potential harm to your health, there are some things you can do to minimize over exposure to these dangerous chemicals.

1. Wash Your Hands

Our mothers always said it, and with good reason. The #1 way to lower your risk of health issues from chemicals is to wash your hands after handling cleaning products. Use warm water and soap and be sure to wash the hands thoroughly, even if you used gloves. Consider washing to your upper arms in case of a splash or splatter, such as from paint or aerosol sprays.

2. Don’t Rub Your Eyes

Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes until your hands have been completely washed and are clear of any lingering chemical substances. Even a little foreign substance in the eye can be incredibly painful. If you’ve ever had an eyelash stuck in your eye, you know what we mean. So just imagine how severe the pain could be if you accidentally touched your eye after contact with bleach or glass cleaner.

3. Go Outside

Get some fresh air. If you feel dizzy or nauseous, if your eyes burn or you have trouble breathing after using cleaning supplies, go outside. A short walk in the fresh air can quickly open the nasal passages and clear your eyes from strong chemical vapors.

4. Open Some Windows

Make sure there is plenty of ventilation when cleaning or using any chemicals like paint. Open windows or turn some fans on to circulate the air more effectively.

5. Read Labels

Read labels and warnings so you know what’s in the cleaners you’re buying and how to use them safely. Consider trying out some natural cleaning supplies that don’t contain VOCs.

About “Green” Cleaning Products

In recent years, so-called “green” products have made their way onto store shelves, but just how green are they, and are they safer than standard ones?

While baking soda and vinegar have long been touted and praised for their cleaning abilities, there is a seeming plethora of new natural disinfectants and general cleaners on the market.

Buzzwords to Look out For

There are some buzzwords you can look out for, which are clues that certain products may not be as natural or as safe as you think. Consumer product manufacturers aren’t required by law to disclose the ingredients in artificial fragrances, so labels may simply list “fragrance” on their ingredient list. Items labeled “natural” are also vague; they don’t have to be specified, and not all natural items are necessarily safe. However, if something is listed as “flammable”, that’s a pretty sure sign of a chemical ingredient.

Chemicals & You

Simply being aware of your body’s reaction to the everyday cleaning supplies in your home is the first step. Use these items safely and with caution. For any severe eye pain – especially if you notice any vision changes – talk to your eye doctor right away.

Testimonials

You may recognize this gentleman. His name is Tony Weeks and he's a longstanding patient of Dr. Chiodo's at our Northwest Vision Center. In the photo he is flanked by Christy Klimek (the office manager at the Northwest Vision Center) along with Dr. Chiodo. Tony works as a fulltime corrections officer at a high-risk prison in Victorville California but also is (better known as) a popular professional boxing referee. He...

- Tony Weeks

Rayne Thomas has been a patient at the Summerlin Vision Center since 2004. Ms. Thomas is one of our more interesting patients. She’s a world class author, blues vocalist and humorist. Rayne has had so many accomplishments in her life; they are far too numerous to mention. Her goal is to travel the world with the idea of “healing hearts thru laughter”. She conducts workshops and speaking engagements under this premise,...

- Rayne Thomas

8News NOW Weather Anchor and TV Reporter, Diane Tuazon has been a client of Summerlin Vision Center since she moved to Las Vegas back in 2004. Working in front of a camera and being on television every day takes a strain on my eyes, which is why I have to make sure I see the best optometrists in town, and I trust none other than the staff at Summerlin Vision...

- Diane Tuazon

Ted Keegan is our featured patient shown in this picture with Office Manager Melissa Petrie on the left and Dr. Lisa Guerrero on the right. Ted frequents our Seven Hills Vision Center based on the superior level of care provided by Dr. Guerrero and the entire staff. Ted, is a singer, actor and photographer who previously played the phantom in “Phantom of the Opera” in Las Vegas. Ted is joining...

- Ted Keegan

8 News NOW Weather Anchor, Sherry Swensk, has been a client of Summerlin Vision Center for about as long as she’s been on TV in Las Vegas - nearly 20 years! “Forecasting the weather each day, seeing numbers clearly is vital to my job - especially at 4 a.m. Everything can be pretty blurry at that early hour. But thanks to the great staff at Summerlin Vision Center, it’s easy...

- Sherry Swensk

Derrick Williams is an actor/singer for Disney Theatrical. He is currently performing in the Lion King Show at the Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas where he taps into his catlike side as Simba’s father, Mufasa. Derrick Williams is no stranger to the stage. He is originally from New York and is an amazing Broadway actor. He has graced stages on Broadway in “Aida” and “Swing”; has appeared on television programs such...

- Derrick Williams

Seven Hills’ Vision Center is the best!!! I’ve been a client for years for all of my vision needs. They offer incredible service, convenient appointments, the very best most up-todate high tech equipment to ensure a complete eye exam, and offers a classy selection of frames to meet the needs of the most stylish trendiest dressers. Anyone who asks me for an eye dr in town, I never hesitate to say, Dr. Lee at Seven...

- Rudy Ruettiger, from the Movie RUDY

My husband and I had been to other eye doctors in the past and neither one of us had ever left with that satisfied feeling. We knew we’d never go back to “that place” again. So, when we were referred to Dr. Podloski at the vision center needless to say, we didn’t have high hopes for anything different. Our first was at the Northwest location and from the minute we...

- Trish Ketchell

My experience at the Vision Center with Dr. Podloski was educational and streamlined. I had never had glasses before and I was nervous about going to the eye doctor to begin with. I went back to school last year and I was required to do a lot more reading than I was used to Dr. Podloski listened very carefully to my concerns and explained everything in detail that was happening...

- Amanda Ketzenberger

Dear Dr. Guerrero I want to take this time to let you know how nice and exceptional your staff is. From Stephanie, Melissa, and will who welcome you so pleasantly on the phone and entering your office and are so helpful. It’s already a nice experience. Melissa was also lovely and patient when I had to go back for adjustments. You ware very pleasant and informative as well. I felt...

- Ann Kenyon

Dr Podloski I would like to take moment to extend my thanks for your help and going the extra mile to take great care and your extreme concern to help my son see again. You are an incredible doctor and very caring. I wish we had more doctors like you in this world. We’ve sent a little appreciation gift from my son and myself to show how much we are...